-Photo of her silk painting and poem by Margaret Royall

ONCE SOLSTICE

Shamans tales
worn smooth and sweet
by the telling years.

Before gnostic midwinter,
as Jupiter and Saturn
nearly kissed.
The oral lore spoke
of this shy love.

Huddled deep within,
our dwellings to welcome
the ghosts of sleep.

In times of fire,
leather and wool
The evergreen
holly guards our door
Sweet pine promises
a fecund return.

For we will be here
when spring is restored,
to see the baby lambs
jumping for joy
in our green fields.

© Dai Fry 21st December 2020